When Can I Start Scratching My Tattoo?
You want your tattoo to stay perfect, right? Well, take care. A perfectly well-done tattoo can be ruined with lousy aftercare practice, such as scratching. Itchiness is to be expected during a tattoo’s restoration period, but excessive scratching halts the healing process. You can scratch a tattoo without causing damage:
- From approximately three-to-four weeks
- After the healing process has completely finished
- When the scabs have all fallen off
Contents
Can I lightly scratch my tattoo?
Overview If you’re itching to scratch at your tattoo, you’re certainly not alone. A tattoo is most susceptible to itchiness when it’s fresh, but this can occur at any stage of the healing process. When you get a new tattoo, the skin is damaged with needles and ink, which can cause itchiness at some point.
Still, no matter what the cause, you should never scratch at your tattoo — especially if it’s new ink that’s still healing. This can lead to serious damage to the tattoo, as well as the surrounding skin.
Read on to learn more about the multiple causes of itchy tattoos and what you can do to treat them without giving in to the urge to scratch.
Will scratching my tattoo mess it up?
– After getting a tattoo, the skin will naturally begin to form scabs and heal. This can cause itching, which can irritate. Resist the urge to scratch, as this can cause more irritation and even lead to infection. Scratching may also remove scabs too early, which can result in scarring.
- Scratching could also interfere with the ink placement and distort the tattoo, ruining the artwork;
- Continue to apply ointments or creams that the tattoo artist recommends;
- The itching should subside within 1–2 weeks;
If the itching persists or gets worse, see a doctor. Other factors that may cause a tattoo to itch include:.
What happens if you accidentally scratch a new tattoo?
Why Can’t I Scratch My New Tattoo? – In a new tattoo, ink can become trapped within the epidermis or top layer of skin. As it heals, some of this ink will slowly leach back into the skin and your tattoo. If you scratch it, you could remove the top layer of skin or scabs prematurely, which might cause patchy areas on your new tattoo where ink has been lost.
Is it okay to scratch a healed tattoo?
Why You Should Avoid Scratching Your Tattoo: – One of the most obvious reasons you should avoid scratching your newly tattooed skin is because it can eventually damage the tattoo. If you have scratched your tattoo during this recovery period, you may see that certain parts of the tattoo have entirely faded away once the recovery process is complete.
Secondly, you should treat a new tattoo as if it were an open wound. Like all the other open wounds, it can potentially catch the ill effects of the bacteria. Even with clean hands, your nails can always be a direct source of bacteria.
So, if you scratch your tattoo with your nails, it can cause severe infection. Scratching your new tattoo can also increase the recovery period and make this entire process more painful than it needs to be. It’s important to mention (again) that scratching your tattoo can also lead to permanent damage.
How do I know my tattoo is healed?
What To Do When You have A ITCHY Tattoo!
You will know that your tattoo is completely healed when there are no scabs, the texture of your skin where the tattoo was placed is the same as a similar surface of skin, and the colors on your tattoo are no longer faded.
Can I slap my itchy tattoo?
Suggested Tattoo Aftercare 1. Remove your bandage in a clean environment with freshly washed hands. Remove your bandage after 1-3 hours. If the bandage sticks while removing it you can run it under warm water. After removing the bandage use a new bottle of mild soap and warm water to wash the tattoo.
Some of our favorite soap brands are Cetaphil, Baby Dr. Bronners, and Dove. Create a lather in your hands and gently clean the tattoo until all ointment, blood, and lymphatic fluid are removed. Pat dry using a clean paper towel.
A wet tattoo is very fragile and can be damaged easily, take care! Wash your tattoo 2-4 times per day in this manner. Allow your tattoo to completely dry before applying lotion. Only use products that are fragrance free for sensitive skin such as Lubriderm, Eucerin, Cetaphil, etc.
With clean hands apply a small amount of lotion 2-4 times per day. If you notice a sensitivity to your soap or lotion please contact us so we can offer alternatives. Fresh tattoos go through many normal healing stages which may include: -At first your tattoo may weep lymphatic fluid containing ink.
Do not panic, this is not your tattoo falling out, this is simply excess ink being sloughed off from the surface of the skin. -You may notice some redness around the tattoo site, this is ok and will recede. -You will start to see new skin form over your tattoo as it heals.
- This will make your tattoo look cloudy and lighter than it did previously;
- This is ok as your body is doing its job to heal itself;
- You will notice the color vibrancy will return;
- -As your tattoo is healing it might begin to scab and itch;
It’s extremely important to not pick, scratch, or peel your tattoo! If you do you will lift the scab and pull the ink out leaving your tattoo with missing ink and scars. If your tattoo is itchy you can lightly slap it or apply an ice pack. -Your skin will peel and flake as it heals, some of which will be color tinted.
This is ok. Avoid swimming, soaking, or bathing while your tattoo is healing. Quick showers are ok but do not allow the water to run over your tattoo for very long. Prolonged exposure to water will draw the ink out.
Allow the tattoo to dry before putting clothing back on, remember a wet tattoo is fragile! Wear loose fitting clothing and avoid anything that would cause friction on your new tattoo. Avoid sun exposure with your healing tattoo. Once healed apply sunblock to protect your tattoo from fading.
- Possible side effects of getting a tattoo include scarring, infection, and allergic reaction;
- If you notice any excessive swelling, redness, severe itching, pus at the tattoo site, or fever please contact us and/or your healthcare provider for further instruction;
Healing times can vary based on the individual. Initial healing takes about 2-4 weeks, while complete healing can take much longer. Follow the above advice while you still notice a scab or unhealed skin. Marigold Adornment wants you to have a perfect tattoo! Our bodies are a living and moving canvas therefore occasionally a tattoo might need a touch up, we offer 1 free touch up for up to 6 months following the time of your tattoo.
Can a tattoo heal in a week?
A tattoo may look healed within a few days. However, it’s important to stay consistent with aftercare : The healing process can actually take as long as 6 months. We’ll go over the healing stages of a tattoo, what types of tattoos take longer to heal, and the best aftercare practices to keep it clean.
Is it possible to over moisturize a tattoo?
What Are The Risks of Over Moisturizing a Tattoo? – By applying thicker layers of lotion or ointment, several times a day (or every hour or two as some people do), you’re risking over-moisturizing a tattoo. By over-moisturizing a tattoo, you can cause the following problems;
- Due to excess moisture, the tattoo won’t be able to dry and heal
- Excess moisture can create a perfect environment for bacteria and germ growth
- Over moisturizing can lead to tattoo inflammation and infection
- Excess moisture can cause clogged pores since the moisturizer prevents the skin from breathing
- Excess moisture can cause the tattooed skin to break out
To avoid these issues, make sure to follow the moisturizing rules we mentioned before. However, make sure to not under moisturizing your tattoo as well. Some people are afraid they might over-moisturize their tattoo, so they leave it dehydrated, which results in heavy scabbing and tattoo dryness. So, make sure to stay in the middle and simply apply a thin layer of lotion/ointment twice a day.
Does scabbing ruin a tattoo?
Scabbing is a healthy part of the healing process, but picking or scratching at the scab can delay the healing process and may affect the integrity of the tattoo or result in scarring.
